UNIHEADS | Online Mental Health Training

Where to signpost

LBU Student Advice Hub: Click here
LBU Wellbeing Support: Click here
Student Union Advice Click here
Visit a GP: Book an appointment with your GP. If you are not registered locally, click here
Access Student Health App: Click here
Access NHS therapies: To find your nearest therapy service, Click here
In an emergency, Get Urgent Help here

Advice & Support

LBU Student Advice Hub: Click here
LBU Wellbeing Support: Click here
Student Union Advice Click here
Visit a GP: Book an appointment with your GP. If you are not registered locally, click here
Access Student Health App: Click here
Access NHS therapies: To find your nearest therapy service, Click here
In an emergency, Get Urgent Help here

Helpful Links

What is Crisis?

The causes and experiences of crisis are very personal.
It can feel like reaching breaking point and being overwhelmed or unable able to cope.
A person may be emotionally distressed, and experiencing a loss of control.
In extreme cases, they may be having thoughts of suicide or self-harm

Looking After Yourself

Remember, you can’t help with everything. Whilst maintaining the confidence of your friend, ensure you are getting any support that you may need as it can be tough looking out for others.

If something comes up that you aren’t comfortable talking about, suggest that they talk about this with someone else.
Look after yourself and your own priorities.
Keep up with your usual interests and hobbies.
Make time for your relationships with family and friends.

When to signpost

If you think someone has been struggling with their mental health for a period of time and:

They have not seen a medical professional about their mental health.
They have seen a medical professional about their mental health, they are still struggling and aren’t accessing any treatment.
They are experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harming.

Later in this section we will remind you of the support options that you can signpost a friend towards.

Concerned? Take Action

University services: YOUR UNIVERSITY SERVICES INPUTTED
Visit a GP: Book an appointment with your GP. If you are not registered locally, click here
Access NHS therapies: Click here to find what therapy services are near you

When not to signpost

When not to signpost:

They are managing their current mental health condition
They are just having a tough day
Their problems are not having a significant impact on their daily life
They are not showing any of the warning signs previously stated

Key tips for optimising sleep at uni

1) Length: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
2) Prevent ‘social jet lag’: Establish a consistent bedtime and wake time routine.
3) Screen time: Less is more (especially before bed).
4) Bedroom: Keep it cool, calm and clean.
5) Wind down: Leave yourself 2 hours between eating and exercising before bed.
6) Caffeine: Enjoy before noon.
7) Daylight: Absorb natural light (rain or shine).
8) Alcohol awareness: Drink less, sleep better.

Ways to beat social media

Not comparing yourself to others on social media platforms
Avoiding aimlessly scrolling
Only using social media at certain times (not during lectures, before bed and during social scenarios)
Performing activities that you want to do, not what will look good on social media
Prioritising real social interactions

Disconnect to connect.

Intentions

Intentions are what the person intends to do having had thoughts on ending their life. Intentions often sounds like:

‘I might as well end it all now’
‘What’s the point of me being here’
‘People would be better off without me’

Coping Strategies

An unhelpful coping strategy is something that may relieve the stress in the short-term, but make it worse in the long-term.

Examples include:

Alcohol consumption
Poor food choices
Sedentary behaviour
Social withdrawal
Excessive use of social media

Preparations

Preparations include:

Writing a suicide note
Stockpiling medicines
Setting a date and method

Protective Factors

Protective factors lessen the risk of an individual carrying out their suicidal thoughts. Protective factors include:

The impact that ending your life will have on your family, friends and / or colleagues.
Faith / religious beliefs

School 2

In the UK, modern culture is negatively influencing our mental health more than past cultures have.

This school of thought suggests that unless these factors are tackled, mental health problems will continue to rise.

Demands & Pressures: There can be excessive demands and pressures placed on individuals that cannot be met, either in the work, social or family lives.
Social media: Time spent on social media is linked with low self-esteem, low confidence and can create feelings of jealousy.
Health Behaviours: Poor health behaviours are becoming increasingly common (physical inactivity, poor diets, lack of sleep, excessive alcohol intake – all of which are associated with mental health problems)

School 1

In the UK, modern culture is negatively influencing our mental health more than past cultures have.

This school of thought suggests that unless these factors are tackled, mental health problems will continue to rise.

Demands & Pressures: There can be excessive demands and pressures placed on individuals that cannot be met, either in the work, social or family lives.
Social media: Time spent on social media is linked with low self-esteem, low confidence and can create feelings of jealousy.
Health Behaviours: Poor health behaviours are becoming increasingly common (physical inactivity, poor diets, lack of sleep, excessive alcohol intake – all of which are associated with mental health problems)